# Hardware transcoding on DS720+ versus DS723+ **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-synology\ **Created:** [November 1, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935 "2022-11-01T19:34:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/1 "2022-11-01T19:34:43Z")
My Synology DS1813+ is on its last legs in terms of performance, and I’ve even been hesitating to upgrade it from DSM 6.2.4-25556 Update 2. I’ve been thinking that I might get the best newest Synology NAS with the fewest number of drives to run PMS, then mount the DS1813+'s shared folders into the new NAS, since the DS1813+ is still great as a fileserver. Looking at the [Plex NAS Compatibility](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MfYoJkiwSqCXg8cm5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc/edit#gid=1274624273) spreadsheet, it seems that the best option is the DS720+, but I’ve noted that the DS723+ has just been announced (and is not on that spreadsheet yet). And while it looks like it has a handful of improvements, because it’s using an AMD processor (Ryzen Embedded R1600), some of my preliminary research suggests that it wouldn’t have the hardware transcoding features listed on the spreadsheet for the DS720+. [Here](https://nascompares.com/guide/synology-ds720-vs-ds723-nas-which-should-you-choose/)’s one comprehensive comparison, including a [section on Plex](https://nascompares.com/guide/synology-ds720-vs-ds723-nas-which-should-you-choose/#The_Synology_DS723_vs_DS720_NAS_-_Plex_Media_Server) specifically. Given that I have a very wide range of media in all sorts of formats (including plenty of HEVC / H.265 files), I’m wanting the most robust on-the-fly transcoding possible, but I’m too novice with respect to codecs, transcoding, CPUs, and GPUs to make an informed comparison. For instance, I do not understand where the inflection point is where a much better processor could overcome the lack of available hardware transcoding. I’m wondering if someone could help educate me and make a recommendation. At the simplest, highest level, my question is whether I should get the DS720+ or the DS723+, given that I want the best on-the-fly transcoding experience possible for the widest array of clients. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/2 "2022-11-01T19:45:08Z")
The AMD CPUs in Synology NAS do not have a GPU, so hardware accelerated transcoding is not possible. Even if they did, Plex does not support AMD GPUs, so it is a moot point. If the DS1813+ is still working fine as a file server, consider keeping your files on the NAS and running Plex on a separate computer such as an Intel NUC. A NUC with an i3/i5/i7 running Linux will provide much better performance than the Celeron in a Synology NAS. ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/3 "2022-11-01T20:01:24Z")
Thank you for the speedy reply! I have to admit, I hadn’t considered a non-NAS machine because I’d gotten so accustomed to the simplicity of Synology, but you’re right, that if I don’t need to use the device for storage, there’s no point in its being a NAS! So why not the [Intel® NUC 9 Extreme Kit, NUC9i9QNX](https://smile.amazon.com/Intel-Extreme-NUC9i9QNX-Single-Model/dp/B0851JV4R8), since that seems to be the brand-spanking newest / most high-end? And would I just reinstall it with a Linux distribution? Which would you recommend? Is there a reason to not use the Docker version for better isolation (how much resource/performance overhead would that add)? It seems these devices don’t come with SSDs (just the 16 GB flash memory), and I’d need to buy one separately; is that right? (You can tell I don’t know much about SSDs, either!) Any advice there? And finally, [this guidance](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201370363-move-an-install-to-another-system/) is probably exactly what I want when I’m ready to do the migration, yes? Thank you again! ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/4 "2022-11-01T21:46:49Z")
That would make a very nice Plex Media Server. You could also go with the [i7 model](https://amazon.com/Intel-Extreme-NUC9i7QNX-Single-BXNUC9i7QNX1/dp/B0851JJNVJ/) and save some money. They have the same GPU, so transcoding performance will be the same. You’ll want 16 GB DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM RAM. You can run it with 8 GB, but 16 will let you use a RAM disk for transcoding, saving wear on the SSD. The NUCs have two memory slots. It is better to use both slots, so for 16 GB, get a 2 x 8GB kit. Memory manufacturers will sell them as pairs. Also a 512 GB or 1 TB M.2 PCIEx4 SSD ([example](https://www.newegg.com/samsung-1tb-980/p/N82E16820147804?Item=9SIBFJRJ8R3673)). I run Ubuntu 22.04 desktop on my system. I did not do a lot of research. I knew Plex supported Ubuntu so I went with it. Some FYIs… If you want, you can do a lot of comparison shopping. Intel is shipping their 12 gen processors, including in their NUCs ([list](https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/series/217835/intel-nuc-kit-with-12th-generation-intel-core-processors.html)). I haven’t priced any, but expect they will cost more than the older units. The 9th gen processors will work great with Plex. But you can comparison shop against the 10th/11th/12th gen based systems as well. Especially with Black Friday sales approaching. Also, you don’t have to use an Intel NUC. There are many small form factor computers available. I picked up a used [Lenovo M90q](https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/desktops/thinkcentre/m-series-tiny/thinkcentre-m90q/wmd00000418) on eBay. Some corporation was going through a tech update and selling off their old systems. I found some RAM on sale, used a spare SSD, and I was in business. ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/5 "2022-11-01T22:59:50Z")
Thank you again! It’s been probably two decades since I’ve built my own computers, and so much has changed! I really appreciate your guidance. And thanks particularly about the point about i7 and i9 having the same GPU…that’s definitely relevant to me. How much is the CPU involved in Plex activities, I wonder, and how much difference would it make if this is a dedicated Plex machine? If I understand correctly from [Picking the best bang for the buck in a Linux PMS Intel CPU – what would you choose?](https://forums.plex.tv/t/picking-the-best-bang-for-the-buck-in-a-linux-pms-intel-cpu-what-would-you-choose/780534/4), the CPU is involved in subtitles, and I definitely like subtitles on all the time, but I’m rarely clear on when the server is burning in subtitles in live transcoding: > [@Picking the best bang for the buck in a Linux PMS Intel CPU -- what would you choose?](https://forums.plex.tv/t/picking-the-best-bang-for-the-buck-in-a-linux-pms-intel-cpu-what-would-you-choose/780534/4): > > The single biggest concern with any CPU will be subtitle conversion / burning (if you need it). Subtitles are single-threaded so , with high bit rate video, you need a CPU which can burn the text into each frame at that resolution/bit rate very quickly. I also noticed this comment on [What's the most recent Intel CPU generation that doesn't have any Plex on Linux hiccups?](https://forums.plex.tv/t/whats-the-most-recent-intel-cpu-generation-that-doesnt-have-any-plex-on-linux-hiccups/778518/2): > [@What's the most recent Intel CPU generation that doesn't have any Plex on Linux hiccups?](https://forums.plex.tv/t/whats-the-most-recent-intel-cpu-generation-that-doesnt-have-any-plex-on-linux-hiccups/778518/2): > > In a nutshell, > > Intel Core processors , up to and including the -9xxx will work with the existing Beignet & OpenCL for tonemapping without issues. > > Intel Core processors, starting with -10xxx , require Intel Compute Runtime. > > -10xxx seems stable, based on forum reports. > -11xxx is mixed > -12xxx is not ready for serious production time yet. (Intel Compute Runtime support is still buggy) > > i9-9xxx is a solid move (depending on what your transcoding needs are. > There is no real need to be bleeding edge unless you know you have lots of subtitles to burn. The video quality of the newer CPUs isn’t really any better than the -9xxx IMHO That sounds like a good argument for i9 or i7 (if that’s really equivalent for transcoding). And it sounds like I’ll be needing to buy both RAM and an SSD. - Would 64 GB work for RAM? [OWC 64GB (2 x 32GB) PC21300 DDR4 2666MHz SO-DIMMs Memory (OWC2666DDR4S64P)](https://smile.amazon.com/OWC-2666MHz-PC4-21300-OWC2666DDR4S64P-macmini18/dp/B07PTRZSHB/) - And this for the SSD? [Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 3,500 MB/s - WDS100T3B0C](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HKDQ1RN/) Basically, it’s been 9 (almost 10) years since I’ve purchased a Plex server, so I’m definitely due for an upgrade, and I’d like something that will perform well for years to come. It doesn’t have to be “bleeding edge”, but I do like things that are top of the line and stable and easy to maintain. (As a reference point, I dropped a pretty penny on my top-of-the-line MacBook Pro in 2017, and it’s still chugging along like a champ!) I wonder if @ChuckPa would be willing to also chime in with two-cents for a novice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/6 "2022-11-03T15:11:29Z")
@FordGuy61: Any thoughts about this, which seems to come preinstalled with 32 GB of RAM and a 512-GB SSD? [Intel NUC 9 NUC9i7QNX Gaming & Entertainment Mini Desktop Black (Intel i7-9750H 6-Core, 32GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Intel UHD 630, WiFi, Bluetooth, 1xHDMI, Win 11 Pro) with Hub](https://smile.amazon.com/Intel-NUC9i7QNX-Entertainment-i7-9750H-Bluetooth/dp/B09L1F9G2X/?th=1) That’s half the RAM and storage than what I found in my post above, but then I’m not worried about compatibility, which I don’t have any firsthand familiarity with. I’m not even sure if I can use those memory and storage modules with this device. (Do you know?) I’m also realizing that I would much rather have a 1U rackmount server (since I have a server rack), rather than yet another “desktop” device that I’m just going to shove into the server rack, but I suppose I could get a rackmount kit for this, since I’m really struggling to find a 1U server that has a comparable i7 processor. Thanks again for all your input; I really appreciate it! ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/7 "2022-11-03T16:01:26Z")
@ArthurZey That box will serve you well. 1. A friend has the i9 version for PMS. I have the i5 version for pfSense 🙂 2. The UHD630 is a VERY solid QSV ASIC (hardware transcoding). It will handle 600+ Mbps of video transcoding. 3. Upgrading the RAM to 64 GB, should you desire, can be done. Patience and small screw drivers are needed to remove the compute element (CPU card) then open it to install the RAM. It’s best done on a big table with a white cloth so you can find all the little screws for reassembly 😉 You might consider looking at SimplyNUC’s web site for pricing / parts. ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/8 "2022-11-03T19:01:42Z")
Thank you so much, @ChuckPa! So I think that for simplicity, I will go with one of these Intel NUC 9s. It’s obviously much easier if I go with the one that has the RAM and storage built in, but doing the arithmetic… | | built-in | without RAM or storage | | --- | --- | --- | | Intel NUC 9 price | [$721.00](https://smile.amazon.com/Intel-NUC9i7QNX-Entertainment-i7-9750H-Bluetooth/dp/B09L1F9G2X/?th=1) | [$517.79](https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Extreme-NUC9i7QNX-Single-BXNUC9i7QNX1/dp/B0851JJNVJ/) | | cost of RAM and storage | $203.21 (included) 32 GB RAM 512 GB storage | - [64 GB](https://smile.amazon.com/OWC-2666MHz-PC4-21300-OWC2666DDR4S64P-macmini18/dp/B07PTRZSHB/): $176.99 [1 TB](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HKDQ1RN/): $79.99 | | total price | $721.00 | $774.77 | | difference for additional 32 GB RAM, 512 GB storage | - | $53.77 | Given that I know very little about compatibility of components, do you know whether, if I buy the [Intel NUC 9 Extreme Kit, NUC9i7QNX, w/US Cord, Single Pack (BXNUC9i7QNX1)](https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Extreme-NUC9i7QNX-Single-BXNUC9i7QNX1/dp/B0851JJNVJ/), if it will be compatible with - [OWC 64GB (2 x 32GB) PC21300 DDR4 2666MHz SO-DIMMs Memory (OWC2666DDR4S64P)](https://smile.amazon.com/OWC-2666MHz-PC4-21300-OWC2666DDR4S64P-macmini18/dp/B07PTRZSHB/) - [Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 3,500 MB/s - WDS100T3B0C](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HKDQ1RN/) And then, for best performance of Plex, would you recommend Linux (Ubuntu?) or Windows? My guess is that migrating from Synology to another Linux-based machine would be much more straightforward…but I’d rather optimize for best Plex performance. Thank you again. I really appreciate your help here! ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/9 "2022-11-03T20:10:25Z")
Regarding OS – Go with what you know. We are here to support Linux. We’re not equipped to teach Linux ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/10 "2022-11-03T20:59:34Z")
Yep, it’s been a hot minute since I was running Ubuntu on any of my machines (2010-2013ish!), but I’m pretty comfortable with command-line interfaces, even if I’m not an expert and some of my Ubuntu-specific skills are rusty! I’ll give Ubuntu a whirl! So I just placed an order for this: [Intel NUC 9 NUC9i7QNX with build-in 64 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09L1DDVLF/): $709.00 Since it seems that it supports three SSDs total, I’ll probably get one of these to actually install Plex on: [Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 3,500 MB/s - WDS100T3B0C](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HKDQ1RN/): $79.99 I’ll just have to figure out how, during installation, to have Plex get installed on the other drive, rather than in some default location. 🙂 Thank you all! ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/11 "2022-11-03T21:37:53Z")
If you’re installing on Windows, I believe the installer lets you pick where Plex’s data goes. On Linux, I support putting it anywhere you want. (and that includes Synology – _hint_ topic _hint hint_🤣 ) ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/12 "2022-11-03T21:44:10Z")
Look at the FULL SPECS ```auto Capacity: 1 TB Form Factor: M.2 2280 Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe v1.4 Sequential Read Performance: 3500MB/s Sequential Write Performance: 3000MB/s Endurance (TBW) : 600 <--- Guaranteed to last for 600 TB of writing Dimensions (L x W x H): 3.15" x 0.87" x 0.09" ``` Make sure you’re comfortable with that at that price point ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/13 "2022-11-03T22:44:25Z")
Okay, you convinced me, and I cancelled the order for the [Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 3,500 MB/s - WDS100T3B0C](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HKDQ1RN/) and bought the [Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB NVMe M.2 Internal Solid State Hard Drive w/ V-NAND Technology, Storage and Memory Expansion for Gaming, Graphics w/ Heat Control, Max Speed, MZ-V7S1T0B/AM](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MFZY2F2/) instead. 🙂 I appreciate the continued guidance! Regarding > [@ChuckPa](#): > > On Linux, I support putting it anywhere you want. (and that includes Synology – _hint_ topic _hint hint_ 🤣 ) Yeah, you’re right, I’ve strayed. So I just created this: [PMS migration from Synology to Intel NUC onto secondary SSD](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-migration-from-synology-to-intel-nuc-onto-secondary-ssd/817197) Thank you again! ---
**Author:** ![fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fwholmen_gmail_com)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/14 "2022-11-06T15:42:06Z")
Hi, how has your experience with this change been? I have a DS420J Synology NAS that is too slow for some Plex media, and I have been looking for a new NAS I could upgrade to. But this really seems like an interesting alternative to upgrading the NAS. Have you had any trouble with uptime? Is the connection to the synology file share stable? Is it as easy to expose the media server to your LAN network (or externally)? Also, is it easy to transfer the plex media database to the NUC without loosing manual changes? ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/15 "2022-11-06T17:07:48Z")
> [@fwholmen\_gmail\_com](#): > > Also, is it easy to transfer the plex media database to the NUC without loosing manual changes? NUC running Linux or Windows? If running Linux – It’s a piece of cake. I use Linux for everything. I only wash or break windows. Stability? How stable is your home network? Done correctly, you won’t notice any difference. ---
**Author:** ![ArthurZey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/arthurzey/32/3933_2.png) [@ArthurZey](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ArthurZey)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/16 "2022-11-06T17:25:37Z")
My NUC and SSD will be here Tuesday, so that’s the earliest that I’ll be able to start transferring things over, but I expect I’ll likely spend Tuesday just getting Ubuntu set up. (I’m currently trying to containerize Deluge and Flexget!) I’m going to document all the details (hopefully in the style of a guide) here: > [@PMS migration from Synology to Intel NUC onto secondary SSD](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-migration-from-synology-to-intel-nuc-onto-secondary-ssd/817197): > > My Synology DS1813+ is on its last legs in terms of keeping up with the performance demands of Plex. After much rigamarole trying to figure out what better Synology to buy ([Hardware transcoding on DS720+ versus DS723+](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935)), I was convinced to buy an [Intel NUC 9](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09L1DDVLF/) with an additional [1 TB SSD](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MFZY2F2/). I intend to install Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS and have it run PMS, mounting in the actual media library from the Synology DS1813+. It’s been a while since I’ve run Ubuntu, so my Linux skills are a bit rusty. I’m looki… ---
**Author:** ![fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fwholmen_gmail_com)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/17 "2022-11-06T18:26:12Z")
Thanks, I would prefer Ubuntu, and if you say Plex is more flexible on Linux, that makes the choice easy 🙂 Also, I’m cabling up the NAS, (maybe the NUC) to the router, and I’m going to set up a new wifi 6e mesh system. Should be good enough, so then it really sounds like a NUC is a great solution ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/18 "2022-11-06T19:12:51Z")
Given the amount of data which will flow from the Syno \<-\> NUC, 1. Don’t burden the router with that. 2. Get a switch 3. Plug everything into the switch 4. Lastly, plug the switch into the router . The architecture is cleaner and performance is better because the switch will completely offload the router until there is traffic for/from the internet. ---
**Author:** ![fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@fwholmen\_gmail\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fwholmen_gmail_com)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/19 "2022-11-06T19:24:52Z")
I see, makes sense. Thanks! Do you have suggestion for a switch that would do the job? A switch is a good solution? Or would it make sense to change to change to a different NAS that could connect with a e-sata or usb-c or something similar? ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935/20 "2022-11-06T20:02:59Z")
1. The NAS is the NAS. Don’t try to make it an appliance and overload it with extra stuff 2. E-sata on a Syno – NOPE. Terrible slow for use with HDDs. USB3 HDDs aren’t much, if any, better. 3. For unmanaged, gigabit, switches, I use Netgear. TP-Link also makes good ones. Count up how many ports you’ll need right now and double it 🕶 LOL (At least round up for the extra ports for expansion because you will need them before you know it) [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-transcoding-on-ds720-versus-ds723/816935.md?page=2)